Chinese artisans have copied Western wares for centuries. In the early 18th century, they made shiploads of dishes in the European style that were ordered with special monograms, crests or other designs. By the end of the 18th century, dishes could be ordered to fill in existing sets of dishes. They also made silverware, paintings, furniture and other things that sold well in Europe.
The Chinese firms, just as today, made products that were popular with their customers even if they were in designs that were unpopular in China. Chinese Export china was a "hot" collectible in the 1950s and after, and there was much research into the "who" and "where" pieces were made. But silver was litt[...]